First you need to look at the condition of the current floor.
Can you install vinyl flooring over carpet.
Criteria for proper vinyl flooring substrate.
You can lower high spots with a grinder.
To install over vinyl you can also glue the carpet down.
Think of carpet you would see in most hotel rooms bus and airplane aisle ways and other commercial spaces.
If the current flooring is fixed to the subfloor and in good condition you may be able to apply a new flooring over top.
Sheet vinyl can be laid over old linoleum or vinyl flooring if the existing floor is in good condition.
Repair any holes or cracks.
Any minor bumps can be removed with a masonry chisel and small sledgehammer.
Here s a link to a success story over fluffy carpet if you d like to try it.
Read more about vinyl flooring.
Wood laminate flooring directly over the carpet.
When you put a temporary floor over carpet you can have beautiful easily installed new floors that also help save the carpet underneath.
Sure i d get my security deposit back but i d have to live with a disgusting 8 x 10 cover up in the meantime.
If the old floor has a rough texture or some.
I know i can t install vinyl tiles over it so i want to put a layer of plywood on top of carpet underlayment to make it more sturdy.
This is not recommended if you think you may want to change out the carpet at another time.
I also plan to use 1 5mm thin vinyl tiles underlayment on top of plywood layer so tiles can float properly.
Wear safety glasses linoleum or vinyl flooring.
A rug over carpet.
If the flooring you purchase can be installed over existing flooring you will still need to consider some other things.
No underlayment is needed in this type of installation.
Carpet floors can be a hassle to work around especially when you re renting but they don t have to be.
Generally there is nothing inherent about the lower floor covering s material that precludes it from acting as a substrate for the upper vinyl flooring.
To glue down carpet choose an adhesive that will hold fiber or cloth to vinyl.
If you are working with sturdy low pile carpeting you can install laminate on top of it.